German leaders reach pact to reduce number of immigrants

Horst Seehofer (left) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announce the accord in Berlin.

Horst Seehofer (left) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announce the accord in Berlin.

Photo: Michael Sohn, Associated Press

Photo: Michael Sohn, Associated Press

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Horst Seehofer (left) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announce the accord in Berlin.

Horst Seehofer (left) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announce the accord in Berlin.

Photo: Michael Sohn, Associated Press

German leaders reach pact to reduce number of immigrants

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BERLIN — Germany’s conservative parties said Monday they have agreed on a law limiting the number of immigrants allowed to enter the country every year — though the government and parliament will have the power to change the figure in the future.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party and its sister party in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union, say they want to limit the annual number of immigrants to 200,000. However, that number can be increased or lowered by both the government and parliament in reaction to any future refugee crises.

The migrant issue had been one of the biggest stumbling blocks between the two parties as they head into coalition talks next week with the pro-business FDP and the Greens to form a new government following last month’s national election.

“I’m happy that we found a compromise,” Merkel said in Berlin after negotiations that lasted deep into the night. “It’s important, that the basic right to asylum, that every application will be processed, will be maintained.”

The face-saving compromise was much needed after Merkel and the CSU’s leader, Horst Seehofer, wrangled over an immigrant cap for almost two years. Merkel has repeatedly refused to agree to an annual cap for immigrants, while the CSU had demanded a limit.

“We finally have a conclusive system of rules for migration,” Seehofer said.

Germany took in more than 1 million immigrants between 2015 and 2016, but the numbers have drastically gone down since the Balkans route was blocked in early 2016. Between January and August of this year, fewer than 124,000 people applied for asylum in Germany. A deal with Turkey also has kept large numbers of people from crossing the Mediterranean to Europe’s shores.